Oasis Magazine - Cairns & Tropical North Queensland Issue 24 - Jun|Jul 2018 | Page 34

Alex Paukovits

EXCELS IN KENDO

With lots of noise , yelling , big sticks and few other girls at her regular club training , it ’ s a wonder she stayed .
BLUEY ’ S FORESIGHT JOHN FORSYTH
Alexandra Paukovits has a true passion for her sport . This passion started at sixteen years of age , when she was first introduced to the Martial art sport of Kendo .
At first , it was not necessarily the sport that was appealing to Alex , more so the people involved in the sport . A chance invitation by a friend to experience Kendo in Year 11 at Cairns High , has now resulted in Alex becoming an integral member of the Australian team .
“ When I first saw Kendo I was intimidated , but I ended up sticking to it because of how friendly and welcoming everyone was ”, Alex recalls .
With lots of noise , yelling , big sticks and few other girls at her regular club training , it ’ s a wonder she stayed . She was taken by the Japanese etiquette of respectfulness and a sense of humble modesty demonstrated through acts such as not celebrating winning points , or the simple gestures to acknowledge an opponents good strike . This shy girl soon became hooked , and borrowed old club armour for three years until she finally got her own .
It all started when Alex was studying Japanese Language at James Cook University . Kendo was part of the Australian University Games schedule , so decided to give it a go .
“ In 2010 I impulsively flew to Perth to the University games . I got permission to go and represent JCU and I flew to Perth by myself “ Alex states . She had never been to a Kendo event so she didn ’ t know what to expect .
“ The A N U club allowed me to do a warm up with them . I felt accepted in
the Kendo community of the Universities and that just reinforced for me how important good sportsmanship was in the sport ."
Alex travelled to Japan after University on a working holiday visa and continued to participate in Kendo . This was a new learning curve for Alex as she realised how much there was still to learn .
“ The good thing about the Japanese was that , for them , a foreigner getting involved in their sport and wanting to be part of their culture really touches them , and they take you on and almost adopt you - everything you do they help you with .’'
Returning from Japan , Alex applied for selection in the Queensland Kendo team , and with no other women applying that year , she was selected to represent the State at the national titles .
In 2013 , Alex started participating in competitions and developing her skills . With competition experience , and her Cairns Sensei ' s coaching , Alex was gaining a reputation for herself in female Kendo ranks .
Alex gained selection in the Australian team in 2014 to compete at the World Kendo Championships 2015 in Tokyo . She fought in both the individuals and the team matches , and learned about competing at that level .
Now at 2017 , Alex is entrenched in the Australian Kendo Team once more . She is currently preparing for the World Kendo Championships in South Korea , in September . “ I think we have a much stronger Women ’ s team than 2015 “
Alex believes the experienced team know what to expect ; the noise , the effort and the experience of the high pressure tournament .
Alex is hoping to help the Women ’ s team achieve success in September . The goal is top four placement so I wish her well in South Korea .

Be Well , Bluey